Dollars Discussed and Developments Dead

COLUMBIA CITY-Councilwoman Jenny Reffitt Middleton missed Tuesday's Common Council Meeting, where the yearly budget was discussed and unanimously given its first of two needed approvals. Proposed changes include cuts to the Housing Authority, an increase in funding for the Plan Commission, Phase Two of the Westgate Project, and continuing to set aside funds towards Eagle Park, a trail extension, and a text alert program to announce street closings, outages, and community events. The budget also adds two new city employee positions: a Community Engagement Specialist (to aid in downtown beautification efforts, including weeding and managing the pocket parks) and an Administrative Assistant for the Parks Department, as the current position reportedly has far too much work for the one person handling things.

Photo byMelany Love/Canva

Nathan Bilger of the Plan Commission shared information on a proposed ordinance amending zoning for thirteen acres North of the Ravenwood subdivision that is planned as "Timber's Edge." As R2 (Residential) and R3 (Residential Multifamily) have different rules for setbacks, lot sizes, etc., changing from R2 to R3 allows for more diversity in the homes and villas that could be built.

In department report news, Fire Engine 102 continues to have pump problems that they struggle to resolve. Due to federal mandates regarding eradicating lead pipes, whatever city pipes have not been properly identified by October 2024 have to be replaced; this is especially frustrating, as many were installed in the 90's and have no possibility of containing lead, but still must be dealt with. About 3200 pipes remain unidentified. Rotary donated two concrete benches for the pond overlook area, and the police have been hosting training that included officers from Muncie and Avon. The Tree Board purchased 25 trees at Ace and plan to plant them on Hanna Street. The next Lunch With the Mayor is Friday, Oct. 6, at noon.

At-Large Councilman Daniel Weigold voiced frustrations over last Wednesday's Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ) Meeting and how the project is "basically dead." He bemoaned the amount of work put into the project and the cooperation from different departments that had built the plans. Weigold, who also serves on the Plan Commission, said the whole thing "was a surprise for us." He believes many people misunderstood and the large turnout had "concerns founded on untruths." Weigold went on to say, "I'm finishing up my sixteenth year, and this is the most frustrating, aggravating thing I've come across. How can we educate people who don't want to be educated?"

Melany Love again handed out flyers about chickens and spoke on the need for people to be allowed to control their own land, and Weigold commented that Council had just voted to not discuss this for quite some time. Love responded, "Then I will be here for quite some time," and continued, "I'll close with a quote I heard recently. 'How can we educate people who don't want to be educated?'"

The next common council meeting is Oct. 10 at 6:00pm.

(This article is reprinted from an earlier publishing via the NewsBreak App)